Media Advisory - Go Behind the Scenes at Billy Bishop Airport This Saturday for Doors Open Toronto

TORONTO, May 24, 2018 /CNW/ - On Saturday, May 26, 2018, media are invited to tour Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Billy Bishop Airport) as part of Doors Open Toronto 2018. Throughout the day, more than 10,000 people are expected to visit Billy Bishop Airport as part of the city-wide event.

This year's Doors Open Toronto theme "Film: The Great Romance" celebrates the city's film and television industry. Billy Bishop has played host to several films over the years including; 2009's Amelia and 1995's Tommy Boy starring David Spade and the late Chris Farley.

As part of this celebration, visitors are encouraged to come learn about the role Billy Bishop Airport has played in film, as well as its role as a key international gateway for the city of Toronto.

WHAT:	Billy Bishop Airport welcomes media to tour the airport as part of the 19^th annual Doors Open Toronto, presented by Great Gulf. Airport staff and partners will be onsite to answer questions and provide visitors with a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse of the airport, including:
	•	The airport's fire hall and maintenance facility, which will provide the opportunity for kids of all ages to explore the airport's state-of-the-art safety vehicles;
	•	A staging area to view the airport's runway operations, new Ground Run-up Enclosure, and aircraft;
	•	Billy Bishop Airport's award-winning underwater pedestrian tunnel, as well as the island atrium and mainland pavilion, which will feature an exhibit that shines a light on the roles both Billy Bishop Airport and WWI flying ace William Avery "Billy" Bishop have played in film;
	•	The team of falcons and dogs that play an important role in the airport's wildlife management program;
	•	Ornge aircraft and facilities that provides Medevac emergency services;
	•	A historical photography exhibit in the island atrium depicting images of the airport and surrounding waterfront; and,
	•	Airport partners and tenants, such as Porter Airlines, Air Canada and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), who will host displays, showcasing the full range of services that the airport provides.
The Billy Bishop Airport self-guided tour map can be found here.
WHO:	Gene Cabral, Executive Vice President of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and PortsToronto
WHEN:	Saturday, May 26, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
	Note: Billy Bishop Airport is only participating in Doors Open Toronto on Saturday
WHERE:	Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, 2 Eireann Quay, Toronto, ON
	Information on getting to Billy Bishop Airport and parking can be found here.
PHOTO OP:	Media are invited to tour Billy Bishop Airport as part of Doors Open Toronto, conduct interviews and take photos and/or video.

IMPORTANT: Access to behind-the-scenes areas will only be granted until 5:00 p.m. Last entry will be granted at 4:00 p.m.

About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Billy Bishop Airport is Canada's ninth-busiest airport and welcomed 2.8 million business and leisure travellers in 2017. The airport is also Canada's sixth-busiest airport with passenger service into the United States. Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than $470 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year and supporting 4,740 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport operations. Billy Bishop Airport is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency and customer service and has recently won a series of passenger-driven awards, including being named one of the top airports in North America in both the Airports Council International's (ACI) Airport Service Quality Awards and Skytrax World Airport Awards. Billy Bishop Airport was also ranked as the fourth Best International Airport by Condé Nast Traveler in  2017.

About PortsToronto (https://www.portstoronto.com)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed 2.8 million passengers in 2017; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $10 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

About Doors Open Toronto
Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has attracted more than two million visits to over 700 unique locations across the city. It is Canada's largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open events in the world. Doors Open Toronto is dedicated to celebrating built heritage, architecture and design. It is presented by Great Gulf and produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community. Look for information and updates at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen and on social media:
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/doorsopenTO, Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Doors_OpenTO and Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/doors_opento. The event hashtag is #DOT18. 

SOURCE PortsToronto

Media Contacts: Brooke Hunter, Manager, Communications & Media Relations, PortsToronto, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]